Timor-Leste opens ‘unprecedented’ case against Myanmar
The Myanmar Accountability Project (MAP) and the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) announced on Monday that Timor-Leste’s judiciary opened legal proceedings against the military in Burma, including Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, for war crimes and crimes against humanity. This is the first time a member of the Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN), has initiated such action against a fellow member state.
“We look forward to working with the Timorese authorities, as well as civil society groups in Timor-Leste, on pursuing justice for the Chin people and all people in Myanmar. Given Timor Leste’s history, and the indignities the Timorese people suffered in their struggle for independence, there is a real sense of solidarity with the people of Myanmar,” said Salai Za Uk Ling, the CHRO executive director.
A senior Timorese prosecutor has been appointed to look into “irrefutable evidence” provided by CHRO that includes allegations of rape, murder, and a massacre of civilians by the military in Chin State. Evidence of indiscriminate strikes on a hospital and a series of attacks on Christian churches and civilian infrastructure by regime forces was also provided. This case is under the legal principle of universal jurisdiction. Read more
A ‘historic moment’ for Rohingya genocide survivors at ICJ
For the very first time, Rohingya genocide survivors testified at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearings into Gambia v. Myanmar, also known as the Rohingya genocide case, which concluded on Jan. 29. The U.N. Special Rapporteur on human rights Tom Andrews said this showed courage in the face of the most horrific crimes committed by the military in its 2016-17 “security clearance operations” in northern Arakan State.
This act drove over 740,00 Rohingya into neighbouring Bangladesh, where 1.2 million now live in refugee camps. “It is a very historic moment for the Rohingya community because we are facing decades of persecution, which is intentionally destroying our community [by] genocide,” said Tun Khin, the president of Burmese Rohingya Organization UK (BROUK) and chairperson of the Arakan Rohingya National Council (ARNC).
A Rohingya, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told Reuters outside of the ICJ that genocide survivors came to seek justice and witness this historic moment. Another Rohingya survivor said she came with the intent of representing the Rohingya community, as well as LGBTQ who also faced the genocide and are victims of rape like herself. The Gambia accuses Burma of violating the U.N. Genocide Convention.
Sri Lanka denies UNHCR access to Rohingya refugees
Sri Lanka has continued to block access by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to more than 100 Rohingya asylum seekers, including women and children, who have been held under military custody for over one year, raising serious concerns among human rights groups and humanitarian service providers.
The group of Rohingya, who were rescued at sea and brought ashore in November 2024, remain in detention at an air force base in Mullaitivu District in the country’s Northern Province, Sri Lankan media reported. Despite repeated formal requests, the U.N. refugee agency has not been permitted to assess the 100 Rohingya and assess their protection needs, asylum claims, or living conditions in northeastern Sri Lanka.
“UNHCR continues to formally request access to the group to assess their needs, vulnerabilities and claims for international protection, which has to date not been permitted,” said Mariko Hall, the UNHCR Asia-Pacific regional office spokesperson. Hall added that UNHCR remains “deeply concerned about the well-being of this group, especially women, children and older people.” Read more
News by Region
ARAKAN—Military defector Zin Yaw told DVB that the Arakan Army (AA) has reached four miles (7 km) southwest of the regime’s Danyawaddy Naval Base, located 19 miles (30 km) east of Kyaukphyu Township, which is contested between AA and regime forces and located 317 miles (510 km) south of the state capital Sittwe.
He added that the AA’s offensive is heading towards the naval base rather than the town. Kyaukphyu residents told DVB that the regime reinforced its Light Infantry Division (LID) 34 in Kyaukphyu on Jan. 30. Thousands of residents have been displaced from their homes due to fighting, aid workers told DVB.
KACHIN—Two children were reported killed and 14 were injured by artillery during fighting in Moeka village of Hpakant Township between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and regime forces on Tuesday. Two children were injured by artillery when a shell struck a school in Hpakant on Feb. 2.
Hpakant is located between 94 and 158 miles (151–254 km) west and northwest of the state capital Myitkyina and the KIA headquarters of Laiza. Renewed fighting between the KIA and regime forces began in Hpakant on June 16 after the regime launched a counteroffensive on April 23, 2025.
KAREN—A political analyst told DVB that members of the Border Guard Force (BGF) have remained in Myawaddy following regime Light Infantry Division (LID) 22 orders for its withdrawal to Shwe Kokko, 16 miles (25 km) north of Myawaddy and 81 miles (130 km) east of the state capital Hpa-An, by Jan. 25.
A Myawaddy resident told DVB that over 30 military vehicles carrying regime troops arrived in the town, along the Burma-Thailand border, on Jan. 30. Seven of the 13 BGF battalions reportedly defied its leader Chit Thu’s order to leave military command and join his “Karen National Army [KNA].”
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 3,970 MMK)
Read our latest DVB English News op-ed: How academics are normalizing Myanmar’s sham elections. Find DVB English News on X, FB, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Bluesky & YouTube.
